DISINFO: The West wants to start a war in Gerogia
SUMMARY
The West wants Georgia to make problems for Russia. The West’s only goal now is to start a war in Georgia, in the Caucasus, for at least one or two days or for a week in order to deflect attention from the special military operation in Ukraine. God forbid if the West achieves its goals.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Georgia and the "aggressive West". This claim was made in the context of Georgia's parliamentary elections which took place on Saturday 26 October 2024.
The claim that the EU and the US encourage Georgia to confront Russia is not supported by evidence. Western countries encourage stability in the South Caucasus region and advocate for democratic processes, rule of law, and economic development. The EU has a strong interest in a politically stable and economically prosperous Southern Caucasus.
Concerning Georgia's parliamentary elections, Western support has largely focused on promoting fair and transparent electoral processes, democratic reforms, and the country's European integration. See the Joint Statement by the High Representative Josep Borrell and the European Commission on the Parliamentary elections.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the South Caucasus has been a region of several ethno-political conflicts — Abkhazia, Nagorno–Karabakh, and South Ossetia. To this day, Russia continues to occupy 20 per cent of Georgia’s territory and impose its will on the people there, including by claiming the transfer of strategically important lands in Abkhazia to Russia.
On election day, 26 October 2024, violent confrontations erupted between supporters of the Georgian Dream party, which advocates for better relations with Russia, and supporters of the opposition who are calling for the restoration of the country’s path to European integration.
Read also EUvsDisinfo's articles on "Twists and turns: Georgian Dream rhetoric on the EU", “Georgia: Resilience in action” and “Georgia: The next colour revolution?”.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that The West is trying to sow chaos in Transcaucasia, that The US is trying to interfere in Georgia's internal affairs, and that West wants to start a colour revolution in Georgia and use it against Russia.